Free Matt by R. C. Ryan Page A

abrupt. “This is serious, deadly business, Nessa. Until this trial ends, I need to know you’re safe from DePietro’s threats, if I’m to be free to do my job.”
    “What about my job, Dad? What am I supposed to do for the weeks, maybe months, that this trial goes on?”
    Captain McBride interrupted. “Are you saying your job is as critical as your father’s?”
    Elliott Kettering held up a hand before Vanessa could say a word. “The captain doesn’t mean to insinuate that my job is more important than yours, honey. Right now, we’re all feeling a little shell-shocked, and we may be careless with our words.” He took a breath. “Nessa, when I couldn’t reach you, I went through hell and back.”
    His daughter fought back a sudden sting of tears. “I can’t even imagine what you were thinking. I’m sorry, Dad. The Malloy Ranch is huge, and much of it is wilderness. Matthew Malloy explained that they often can’t get phone service in such remote areas. So I didn’t really think much about the fact that I couldn’t reach you.”
    “Which was fortunate for all of us,” the captain remarked. “If we couldn’t track you, neither could DePietro’s people. That’s why I’ve asked Sheriff Graystoke to take your cell phone and replace it with one from our lab that can’t be tracked.”
    “But all my contacts—”
    “—will be transferred to your new phone. But I’ll ask you to keep your calls to a minimum while you are at a safe house.”
    Though Matt had remained silent during this exchange, he looked at his family.
    As if reading his mind, his grandmother gave a quick nod of her head.
    He broke his silence, in an aside to Vanessa. “If you don’t like the idea of staying at a safe house, what would you think about spending time here?”
    “And hide?” She looked horrified. “I have a job to do.”
    Matt nodded. “And you were doing it in Montana. You could continue doing it.” Before she could protest, he added, “My family’s ranch is the perfect place to be able to see and study wild animals in their natural habitat, and nobody around here will even question your presence.”
    “But you forget. Somebody knew I’d gone to Montana, if the captain’s theory about the damage to the plane is correct.”
    The police captain shook his head. “Montana is a big place. The plane was damaged in Helena. That suggests that DePietro’s people assume you’re there. And now, since the place is crawling with feds, they’ve lost their only lead.”
    “But the pilot had to file a flight plan.” Sheriff Graystoke spoke in staccato tones. “If these people look into it, they’ll know the plane made a brief stop in Glacier Ridge.”
    Elliott Kettering’s voice sounded as weary as he looked. “Nessa, taking you to a safe house will put my mind at ease. I’m not comfortable allowing a family I’ve never met to take my daughter into their home and see to her safety—”
    “I can see to my own safety”—her voice lowered with repressed annoyance—“thank you.”
    At her outburst, Elliott gave his daughter a gentle smile. “Yes, you can. And always have. Don’t you see? I need to be assured of your safety if I’m to do my job. There hasn’t been time to investigate the Malloy family, as well as all its employees.”
    She took in a deep breath, wishing she’d been given time to consider.
    Sheriff Graystoke used the silence to speak his mind. “I know you’ll have to do a thorough investigation of anyone charged with the safety of your daughter. But until your authorities can do that, you have my word that the Malloy family gets high marks around here for honesty and integrity. I can’t think of a safer place for your daughter to stay, as long as they’re willing.”
    Elliott’s weary voice held a note of optimism. “Nessa, maybe this Montana ranch could be a short-term solution. I’m told it’s vast and sparsely populated. If you don’t object, and the Malloys and Captain McBride